. . . as the fickle "Olive" falls flat on her face to wrap up a series of demeaning humiliations toppling her way. Since Olive's face-plant finale in THE MAN ON THE FLYING TRAPEZE plunges her downward from a height of at least 80 feet, and features a landing zone of apparent concrete, her looks are bound to be improved for future Popeye outings. Prior to mashing her mug, Olive is pulled like saltwater taffy between a pair of suitors inexplicably drawn to her pretzel-like physique. Because she is the sort of Blue Movie "starlet" who always loves the one she's with, Olive's wavering loyalties are on full display throughout THE FLYING TRAPEZE. Lingerie is a staple of stag film "smokers," so Olive flaunts her bloomers from one end to the other of this brief cartoon. (And Brevity is surely next to Godliness when it comes to Olive!) After Popeye lights up "Jules" to become THE (only) MAN ON THE FLYING TRAPEZE, he wisely reorders his Life Priorities to favor the fleeting whims of fan boys over saving Olive from her self-centered swan dive.
